Monir Miah, 54, jabbed the man in the face with the cutlery when a scuffle broke out [NEWS TEAM ]

Restaurant owner Monir Miah, 54, jabbed the man in the face with the cutlery when a scuffle broke out after a group of customers demanded their money back.

Police were called to the Crown of India restaurant in Stone, Staffordshire, on July 9 last year after Christopher Foley, 23, was spotted leaving with blood pouring from his face.

A court heard the group of diners including Mr Foley had been swearing and complaining following their meal and were arguing about drinks being added to their bill.

As tempers got heated Mr Miah said raised his hand containing the stainless steel fork fearing he was going to be head-butted - and stabbed Mr Foley in the nose.

Mr Miah was charged with assault but following a trial at Stafford Magistrates' Court last week JPs found him not guilty after ruling the stabbing was an accident.

Today Mr Miah, from Stone, said: "I'm glad justice has been done. I really thought that the men were going to hurt me so I was scared. I was very scared. I am 5ft 4ins and the two men were 6ft.

"I had the keys in one hand and some cutlery I was picking up off the floor in another.

"I lifted my hands to protect myself and I am not sure what happened.

"After the incident, it has made me very wary and I am sometimes cautious about dealing with customers if they have a problem.

"I just want to try to put it all behind me now and move on."

The father-of-six has now thanked customers for their support during an ordeal that left him barely able to sleep and fearing his reputation had been tarnished.

He added: "I am so happy that this ordeal is all over now.

"In the months leading up to the trial, I had to take pills to help me to sleep.

Mr Miah has been running the restaurant for 34 years [NEWS TEAM]

"The main thing I was worried about was that my customers would hear about the charges and see me in the wrong way.

"I know the incident has put off a lot off people from coming to the restaurant and I lost about 40 per cent of business, which was devastating.

"I have been running this restaurant for 34 years and it means everything to me.

"It is my livelihood and without it, I don't know what I would do.

"Since I was charged, I have had many letters of support from my customers.

"I want to say thank you to them for helping me through a difficult time.

Mohammed Sharif Uddin, a waiter at the Crown of India for the last 12 years, told the court the two men were shouting and saying they wanted their money back. He added that he had not seen a fork in Miah's hand.

Paul Farrell, who had been collecting a takeaway from the restaurant, added that he had heard Miah asking the men not to use bad language as he and his wife arrived.

However, the Indian restaurant's licence is now to be reviewed by Staffordshire Police next month.

Regular customer Jill Piggott, 49, said: "I was really surprised to hear that Mr Miah was charged because I have never had any trouble.

"The staff have always been polite and friendly and the food has always been good.